Harper turns 52, talks of time 'moving on'

RICHMOND HILL, Ont. — Conservative leader Stephen Harper celebrated his 52nd birthday on Saturday, telling supporters that the occasion reminds him of how time is "moving on."

But he also used it as an opportunity to criticize his new main rival in the election — NDP leader Jack Layton.

At a campaign event in Richmond Hill, Ont., on Saturday morning, Harper noted in the middle of his speech to supporters that it was his birthday.

That prompted cheers and a rendition of Happy Birthday.

"Thank you very much, friends. I do have to say that one advantage of this job is that being prime minister, everyone knows your birthday and reminds you of your birthday. You have to accept it graciously.

"But I am at the point in life where I am reminded that by these birthdays — probably reminded too much — that time is moving on. And I'm also reminded that I have actually been around politics for a fairly long time.

"And when I hear Mr. Layton talking casually about opening the Constitution and opening debates on language policy, I've been around long enough to know where all of that leads. Back to the days where Canadians should not return to. Friends, we mut not go back to old divisions."

After the event, Tory candidate Peter Kent led the crowd in another rendition of Happy Birthday, and Harper's wife, Laureen, brought out a cake.

She said that Tommy Davis, the driver of Harper's campaign bus, was also celebrating his birthday. The crowd sang for him too.

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